Karakol

27th September 2002. The centre of Karakol looks like a frontier town in a Western film. Long, low wooden buildings with covered walkways in front line one dusty street but turn around and there is a massive shopping mall faced with brown stone and topped with metallic silver decorations that catch the sun. We roam… Continue reading Karakol

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Look at Glaxo

There are two ways of looking at GSK (Glaxo Smith Kline) shares. If you are a glass-half-empty type you lament that the price has been going sideways between £12 and £16 for the last ten years. On the other hand …

The English Philanthropist

At lunch last month with three readers, one mentioned Christopher Ondaatje. I had heard that rich Christopher has not got over his not-so-rich brother winning the Booker prize. But I was told that Christopher has another skill besides making a shedload of money as a stockbroker and publisher.

On Behalf of Her Majesty …

Here they are and who is welcoming them? The media say Liam Fox (by name by nature), Secretary of State for International Trade. The media undermines the Constitution of the United Kingdom.

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Boris Balls

If you are unsure if we should Remain in or Leave the EU this paragraph from Boris Johnson’s resignation letter might help you make your mind up.

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Flypast

I went to Buckingham Palace yesterday to watch the centennial RAF flypast and thought I’d do something I’ve never done – watch the Royal Family making a balcony appearance.

Retired

A few days ago I filled in my occupation as “retired”. On Monday morning my spirits lifted as I walked up the Thames to Richmond, musing that I am not retired.

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Hot News

There’s been so much happening in London that I must take a break from Kyrgyzstan. I was doing the drying up in the kitchen and for the first time spotted Eddie Redmayne.

Crossing the Border

26th September 2002. So far we have only walked for half a day but are hopeful of getting in a full day today. Worryingly the guide book says that it takes several days to cross over into Kyrgyzstan and we are not keen to be caught on the pass (3,300 metres) for the night. We… Continue reading Crossing the Border

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Kazakhstan: Part II

25th September 2002. The day starts earlier than I wished. At 4.00 am I am pulling on some clothes and setting off with torch and bog paper to answer a call of nature. The moon is almost full so the torch is not much needed. On returning to the tent I share with PJ he… Continue reading Kazakhstan: Part II

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